KIRKUS REVIEW

Not the exploration of emotions the
title might indicate but instead a look at classroom expectations for those
just starting school.

“It was just one of those days in
Ms. Mya’s classroom.” Those who work with young children may smile at the
mischief these kids get up to—from jumping on a chair and playing catch with a
stuffie to running and drumming, these kids are loud and boisterous. But
luckily, Ms. Mya has her “I need your attention right now” and her “I’m making
an important announcement” voices to help her get the students’ attention and
explain what her expectations are. Together, the class makes a list of positively
stated expectations that they will all follow, and at the end of the day, Ms.
Mya, in her “I have something special to tell you” voice, presents a list of
expectations for herself. A note to adult readers in the backmatter explains
that children cannot know they are misbehaving if they do not know what is
expected of them. Prentice’s brightly colored illustrations capture the
exuberance and innocence of these ethnically diverse children wonderfully—they
are not being naughty; they are just exploring and being kids, and once the
expectations are explained, they abide by them.

A reassuring explanation of both
expectations in general and the behaviors expected of students in school. (Picture
book. 3-6)

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